CELEBRANTS GUIDE #1

Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B, Written by Michael Prior, C.M.

From Issue 21, Ordinary Time Readings

In the name of the Father ...

The Lord be with you ... (or one of the other greetings).

INTRODUCTION TO THE MASS

In the Mass today the Church turns our attention to God's gifts to us, particularly the gift of the bread of life which we receive at communion. This bread from heaven is refreshment for us. May it renew our minds and move our hearts and help us to live good and holy lives.

INVITATION TO REPENTANCE

As we begin to celebrate Mass let us cast ourselves into the merciful hands of God and ask him to forgive us our sins which weigh us down.

You are the bread of life. Lord, have mercy.

He who comes to you shall not hunger. Christ, have mercy.

He who believes in you shall never thirst. Lord, have mercy.

May our merciful Father take pity on us, forgive us our sins, and give us his peace. Amen.

HEADINGS FOR READINGS

The first reading (Ex. 16:2-4, 12-15) describes how God fed his people with meat and bread in the wilderness. He continues his loving care for us by feeding us with the bread of life at Mass today. Let us be grateful for his gifts.

The second reading (Eph. 4:17, 20-24) calls us to change from our sinful lives, and live according to our new nature as Christians.

In the Gospel (Jn. 6:24-35) Jesus tells the crowds that followed him and saw his miracles that they ought to see the reameaning of his great deeds. When he multiplied the loaves for them he was indicating to them that he was himself the real bread come down from heaven, and not merely a wonder worker satisfying their passing needs.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

Joined together in the Spirit of Christ with all Christian people throughout the world we make our prayer.

Response: Stay with us always, Lord, and keep us safe.

(1) Guard and protect the Holy Father, our bishop and all Christian leaders.

(2) Look with compassion on all the Christian people, especially on the sick, the lonely, the unemployed.

(3) Give comfort to the old, and hope and courage to the young.

(4) Welcome into your kingdom our departed brothers and sisters.

You know our needs, Father, before we ask for them. Sustain us in our daily living. Continue to nourish us with the bread of life, and when we die bring us to the fullness of eternal life. Amen.

INVITATION TO THE LORD'S PRAYER

Let us praise God our Father, and ask him to satisfy our real daily needs, in the words Jesus taught us.

INVITATION TO THE SIGN OF PEACE

Let us ask God to break down the barriers of suspicion and hatred which separate us from our fellow men, and to give his peace to the world. Let us offer each other the gift of our peace.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

Jesus said, 'My Father gives you the true bread from heaven, which gives life to the world.' Lord, give us this bread always, and bring us to the banquet in heaven. Lord, I am not worthy ...

CONCLUDING WORDS

May we always be grateful to God for giving us the bread of life. May it refresh us and enable us to live good Christian lives at home, at work or school, during the coming week.

The Lord be with you...

Blessing (note the variety of forms given in the Missal).

Dismissal.

CELEBRANTS GUIDE #2

Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B, Written by Toni Craven.

From Issue 59, Ordinary Time Readings

INTRODUCTION TO THE MASS

God holds out the bread of heaven to those willing to put aside disbelief, empty desires, and limited expectations. Today's liturgy reminds US that we must choose to work either for foods that perish or for foods that endure to eternal life. God cannot fill hearts which are already full.

INVITATION TO REPENTANCE

Let us stand before God in truthfulness and acknowledge what it is that we work for in our lives.

HEADINGS FOR READINGS

First Reading (Exod 16:2-4, 12-15). God provides bread from heaven for the people who feared they would die of hunger in the wilderness.

Second Reading (Eph 4:17, 20-24). Those who know Christ are called to lead lives that image God to the world.

The Gospel (Jn 6:24-35). Jesus tells us that the work God expects from us is to have faith in the One sent to give us the bread from heaven which gives life to the world.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

That we might have the courage to seek the bread of heaven which gives true life to the world, we address our petitions to God through the One sent by God to feed us.

Response: Lord, give us this day your bread.

That those who hunger and thirst in our world may be filled, we pray.

That those who distribute the goods of the earth may do so in ways that image God's justice and holiness, we pray

That all who bear the name Christian may renew their lives in God's truth and love, we pray.

For our church, its leaders, and its people, we pray.

Lord God, in the mystery of faith you have given us bread from heaven as your gift of love to set straight our disbelief, empty desires, and limited expectations. Enable us to live rightly in your world as signs of hope, justice, and peace. Amen.

INTRODUCTION TO THE LORD'S PRAYER

In confidence, we come to Jesus believing that he is the bread of life sent to satisfy the hungers of our hearts and of our world. We join our voices to his as we pray.

INVITATION TO THE SIGN OF PEACE

In the dignity of our vocations as those created in God's image, let us reach out in love and greet each other in the words of Christ Jesus, 'Peace be with you'.

COMMUNION REFLECTION

Jesus says, 'I myself am the bread of life. No one who comes to me shall ever be hungry, no one who believes in me shall thirst again'.

Lord Jesus, we come to you with faith and ask that you strip us of the illusions and habits of life which cause us to seek foods that do not nourish. Transform our innermost desires that we may seek you for the right reasons and that we may have the courage to image your love in our world. Give us this day our daily bread, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation.

[Reprinted with permission from Scripture In Church. These "Celebrant's Guides" are two of seven (7) which are available on the CD-ROM for this Sunday's liturgy. This resource is available through the Homiletic Resource Center for ($129.95) $119.95. It contains a wealth of commentaries, reflections and liturgical resources for each Sunday AND WEEKDAY of the three-year lectionary cycle. I guarantee you'll find something here to jog your homiletic juices whenever you need it! For more info or to order, just click on the link above.]